Great Lakes Supernatural (10/27/2007):

[Flynn]

Everyone,

I had an absolutely wonder time. I decided that I was going to really enjoy the moment, so, I was walking around the venue w/a Cheshire Cat grin the entire event...surprising not nervous. I got the chance to meet Mike (Deags) and his wife who are extremely nice and a very personable couple...brought me white chocolate covered pretzels. Btw, he also looked incredible. I will let him fill you in on how things went. I also meet so many other people that it was difficult to remember all the people that introduced themselves.

Recap:

I won the Masters' and took 2nd in the Novice Medium. They separated us my height and not weight so going in I knew I would be out weighed; came in around 146-150lbs (weighed 146lb this morning). Although I took 2nd, I am very happy with my placing. It was a tough class and the head judge stated twice during prejudging that it was a very competitive class. They did not move anyone in the lineup. A number of people including other competitors would come up to Chris (class winner/looked phenomenal) and myself and stated how close a call it was and that it could have went either way.

One of the judges after prejudging said, "I had great stage presence" and a number of people were nice enough to say the same thing. Since this was my first competition, I took it as a huge compliment.

Now the hiccup:

The event had an old CD player and could not play MP3s - ugh! However, they did not realize it until I was on stage ready to begin my routine. I hit my starting pose and nothing. The audience started to murmur and I used my fingers to joking count down 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. They then pulled me off stage and let the other competitors do their routine. I went backstage and said just give me anything and I'll pose to it. They first chosed a piece of music, didn't know the song, and then the head judge came backstage and said why not use X...still did not recognize the name. I said, "Guys just chose something".

I went out there and took my starting position. When the music started, I knew it would not fit the routine planned so, I used the first couple of poses and then ADLIBBED the rest, smiling the entire time. You would have thought it would have rattled me but I took what I had and ran with it. Initially, only the judges and the people back stage knew what I did. Layne did not even realize I was "winging it". Someone told me the name of the song after I went back to the pump-up room: "The Contender". So, major disaster averted :).

Layne was at the event so it was a kick to have him back stage for moral support and the constant encouragement. In my Bio, that they read, I had the guy say, "Of course, I would like to thank the 'Architect', Layne Norton who convinced this stogy old attorney that he could get me ready for the stage". "Team Norton" represented ourselves well so a number of people asked Layne for his business card - he ran out of cards. I said, "I want a cut" :p.

"Team Norton" went out to diner later that evening and it was a blast hanging out with Carissa (Figure), Ben (husband), Isabel (Layne's fiance), and Layne. He got the better half of that deal ;). BUT, he would not let Carissa or I have French Fries :p.

Now I keep moving to get ready for the OCB Midwest November 17.

[Agostage]

Awesome! :D Congrats man, sounds like you had a blast! I bet you're addicted now aye? Can't wait to see some pics ;)

[dcerullo]

Sorry we didn't get to meet last night! I was in the Masters divison in both shows. Or maybe we did and we just don't remember LOL. Congrats to you, you did an awesome job! Why don't you comsider doing the May show in Bradley, I'm judging.....heheheh

[wnbfprowww]

hey great job man, sounds like you had a blast, and you were in the company of many cool peps...me i have two weeks to go, this is a huge start for you....train hard but smart.



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[Hibiscus09]

Awesome, Flynn!!! Congrats to you on doing so great in your first show! Unbelievable that you held your composure with the posing music disaster. I think I would have cried on that one! Way to keep it together and come out smelling like a rose, baby!! :D

[Flynn]

Awesome! :D Congrats man, sounds like you had a blast! I bet you're addicted now aye? Can't wait to see some pics ;)

Ago, I did have a blast probably because I didn't go into the show w/any expectations, so win, lose, or draw would have been fine. I know it sounds like a cliche(ish) but that's how I felt. I just wanted to feel like I belonged on stage w/the rest of the guys.


Sorry we didn't get to meet last night! I was in the Masters divison in both shows. Or maybe we did and we just don't remember LOL. Congrats to you, you did an awesome job! Why don't you comsider doing the May show in Bradley, I'm judging.....heheheh

I think we did meet. I believe you went out before the Novice Medium with another women...a good friend. You let me use your ban to warm-up during the five minute delay. Thank you very much. The camaraderie backstage was amazing. Btw, excellent job!!


hey great job man, sounds like you had a blast, and you were in the company of many cool peps...me i have two weeks to go, this is a huge start for you....train hard but smart.

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Thanks Wendel for the encouragement. Seeing the effort you put in and how you look in your AVI, you will do great and I can't wait to see how you look in two weeks; definitely inspiring. Also, at my age, I don't have a choice but the train smart :p. Thanks again!


Awesome, Flynn!!! Congrats to you on doing so great in your first show! Unbelievable that you held your composure with the posing music disaster. I think I would have cried on that one! Way to keep it together and come out smelling like a rose, baby!! :D

Thanks gorgeous! It was an unbelievable experience so I didn't want to let a 'minor' hiccup ruin the day. It was a good show!

[dcerullo]

Thanks Flynn, you too! It's always that way backstage at that show! Sorry I'm senile! Hope to see again sometime.
Donna

[billfinkbiner]

Flynn, congrats!!! Now onto the Midwest States. Awesome for your 1st and warm up show!!! And just think, you've still got a couple of weeks to get even better.

[ChokeOnStrength]

Congratulations man, sounds like you had a fantastic time, and you did amazing.

What a great experience, eh?

[deags]

Flynn -

All I can say is that you were INCREDIBLE! You looked very impressive - it was extremely close in your novice class, and I was hoping you were going to pull it out because your superior conditioning was so outstanding!!!! The guy who won was just massive and his upper body was hard to overlook.

Your stage presence was fantastic as it seemed you have done this dozens of times. You are an extremely humble, genuinely good guy, who i consider a friend. I hope maybe we can get together every once in a while - maybe we could train together sometime, find a mid way point between us.

Anyway, keep it up for the next 3 weeks, and keep shredding - you should be VERY proud of yourself!! You were awesome!!

Talk to you soon.

Mike

[Flynn]

Thanks Flynn, you too! It's always that way backstage at that show! Sorry I'm senile! Hope to see again sometime.
Donna

It's good to hear that about this show. Take care!


Flynn, congrats!!! Now onto the Midwest States. Awesome for your 1st and warm up show!!! And just think, you've still got a couple of weeks to get even better.

Thanks Bill! Have to stay focused and avoid having a letdown.


Congratulations man, sounds like you had a fantastic time, and you did amazing. What a great experience, eh?

I didn't know what to expect going in but yes, it was a great experience and "Fun". Thanks COS!

[Flynn]

Flynn -

All I can say is that you were INCREDIBLE! You looked very impressive - it was extremely close in your novice class, and I was hoping you were going to pull it out because your superior conditioning was so outstanding!!!! The guy who won was just massive and his upper body was hard to overlook.

Your stage presence was fantastic as it seemed you have done this dozens of times. You are an extremely humble, genuinely good guy, who i consider a friend. I hope maybe we can get together every once in a while - maybe we could train together sometime, find a mid way point between us.

Anyway, keep it up for the next 3 weeks, and keep shredding - you should be VERY proud of yourself!! You were awesome!!

Talk to you soon.

Mike

Thanks again Mike for all the support. And you are correct about Chris which is why I wasn't disappointed...also a really nice guy.

Also, I'm sure I will be making my way out in your area to pick up some of those white chocolate covered pretzels that the misses brought - thank her again for me.

[CapitalJay]

GREAT job, Flynn! Very impressive with the adlibbing! So, no need to work on your next routine, right? ;)

[semper27]

Outstanding job man! Gear up for your next outting and bring down the house!!!

[str8flexed]

I've been trying in some way or form to get flynn onstage for about 3 years now, to see him get up there and do so well with some of the best conditioning in the show (anyone say striated glutes in the masters division?) really was a great moment. They messed up his music but none of us even knew until he told us. His posing routine was awesome and I got it on tape and will post it sometime this week! Really really outstanding at his first show.

A lot of fun & a lot of great people at this show.

-Layne

[ctgblue]

Great job man at winning first time out.
Keep up the hard work and it will continue.

[Flynn]

GREAT job, Flynn! Very impressive with the adlibbing! So, no need to work on your next routine, right? ;)

Thanks Jay. I'm trying to remember what exactly I did so I could use it again - will make life a little simpler since I've done it once :p.


Outstanding job man! Gear up for your next outting and bring down the house!!!

That means a lot coming from Mr. Shred. Following your lead, I can't help but to be motivated. I plan on trying to enjoy myself the next one as much as I did with this one and hope it comes across.

[Flynn]

I've been trying in some way or form to get flynn onstage for about 3 years now, to see him get up there and do so well with some of the best conditioning in the show (anyone say striated glutes in the masters division?) really was a great moment. They messed up his music but none of us even knew until he told us. His posing routine was awesome and I got it on tape and will post it sometime this week! Really really outstanding at his first show.

A lot of fun & a lot of great people at this show.

-Layne

He finally wore me down :). I glad you have it on tape but hope I didn't look to silly...thinking as I was moving isn't recommended. I've been racking my brain trying to remember what I did so that I could just tweak it for Dekalb. This time I'll have the music in every format available ;).

Btw, I'm glad you handed me some cards because a few people at the gym this morning asked, "Is that guy you call the Architect the one you worked with" so I handed out a card.


Great job man at winning first time out.
Keep up the hard work and it will continue.

Thanks Blue. I guess I'm just lucky. Btw, you looked great for your last show...definitely motivation to keep working hard and never give up.

[Most Muscular]

congrats on the great placing, especially for your first show! and you dealt well with the music screw up too.

Good luck in your future comps (although luck has nothing to do with it...)

nuff said...

[ArchAngel'73]

I knew you'd do well brother!:)
Way to go on winging the routine! One down, one more to go.

[Flynn]

congrats on the great placing, especially for your first show! and you dealt well with the music screw up too.

Good luck in your future comps (although luck has nothing to do with it...)

nuff said...

Thanks Randy! You are the Masters' Standard (or any, as a matter of fact) that I hope to achieve one day. A while back, I remember watching the video you posted and the alarm went off at 4:30am, I believe, and you hit the elliptical machine and later the gym. I thought to myself, now that's dedication.


I knew you'd do well brother!:)
Way to go on winging the routine! One down, one more to go.

The support has and will always be much appreciated B-Man!

[dogg74]

Great Job Bro! I knew you could do it! Seems the adlibing of music went well as well. You are only going to get better from here on out! Get ready for the next show..IT"S YOURS!

[Original Poster]

Flynn AWSOME Job !

I really wanted to make your show but I ended up working until 6am saturday morning and there was no way I could get there.....I needed sleep I was up 27 hours and worked 19 of them :eek:

Dude you did yourself and bb.com very proud.

You should do fantastic in the OCB.

[Flynn]

Great Job Bro! I knew you could do it! Seems the adlibing of music went well as well. You are only going to get better from here on out! Get ready for the next show..IT"S YOURS!

Back in the gym to see what I can do in less than three weeks - thanks Dog!


Flynn AWSOME Job !

I really wanted to make your show but I ended up working until 6am saturday morning and there was no way I could get there.....I needed sleep I was up 27 hours and worked 19 of them :eek:

Dude you did yourself and bb.com very proud.

You should do fantastic in the OCB.

No problem Pete! The support you guys have provided was enough. I gave BB.com a shout-out at the beginning of the routine. Thanks and I'll see you on December 8 at the show you're doing at the Gateway.

[Izzy04]

Hello Flynn!

I read in Pete's journal that you did great in your first show and I wanted to congratulate you!

I'm sure you'll do as goon in your next one!

[Flynn]

Hello Flynn!

I read in Pete's journal that you did great in your first show and I wanted to congratulate you!

I'm sure you'll do as goon in your next one!

Thanks Izzy! I going to do my best and let the chips fall where they may :).

[Ronto]

Hey i been trying to find out how John Clausin did, would been mens tall catagory.

Grats' on your win I was gonna be at the show, looks like i shoulda came heh.

[Flynn]

Hey i been trying to find out how John Clausin did, would been mens tall catagory.

Grats' on your win I was gonna be at the show, looks like i shoulda came heh.

Thanks Ronto! Did he do the "GreatLakes Supernatural" or the "USA Pro Qualifier"? Novice or open?

[Jrich54338]

Flynn,
Thats aweosme, will you have pics up soon I cant wait to see them, I know for sure no one had a back like yours there, its outstanding to say the least.

[Ronto]

Thanks Ronto! Did he do the "GreatLakes Supernatural" or the "USA Pro Qualifier"? Novice or open?

Great lakes supernatural i believe.... that's the one that was held at governer state correct? And he was in open mens tall.

[Flynn]

Flynn,
Thats aweosme, will you have pics up soon I cant wait to see them, I know for sure no one had a back like yours there, its outstanding to say the least.

Thanks Joe! We were comrades in arms since our progress tracked at the same time. I went in w/the same attitude - to have a good time, so I smile and laughed a lot. It was a kick. I will get picks as soon as I can...still waiting for Layne to get me a copy of the video :).


Great lakes supernatural i believe.... that's the one that was held at governer state correct? And he was in open mens tall.

Yes! I will try to find out how the class broke down.

[Ronto]

Yes! I will try to find out how the class broke down.

Much appreciated

[str8flexed]

check out flynn's routine!

AlfpFzRgPOw

[deags]

I was there and got to witness it LIVE, but it is fun to watch again! GReat job Flynn and good luck this weekend at the OCB show.

Mike

[Flynn]

check out flynn's routine!

AlfpFzRgPOw

Thanks for recording and posting the vid Layne - you're the man!


I was there and got to witness it LIVE, but it is fun to watch again! GReat job Flynn and good luck this weekend at the OCB show.

Mike

Thanks Mike (Pro)! I'm going to try to follow your lead; we'll see what happens.

[dcerullo]

Just found this!!! Nice to see it from the front view and not back stage. It was awesome. I like that my banner is in every picture...plug plug ;) Well hope you totally kicked butt today. Roaming around trying to find out how you did!
DJ

[str8flexed]

breaking news! Flynn won the masters overall and won the men's open short and came in runner-up in the overall at the OCB midwest states having a near miss on a pro card in only his second show! The man is a phenom! Wait til you all see the pics! :eek:

[serratus]

Nice posing Flynn. You were looking really good.

Congrats!

[billfinkbiner]

Flynn, congrats!!! I knew when following your thread and seeing how amazing you looked midway through your prep that you were going to be outstanding. Great work.

[dcerullo]

Great work Flynn! Congrats, that is so awesome. Masters Rule!!!!!
DJ

[deags]

Flynn -

You are a true testament to the dedication to bodybuilding at ANY age! You got what you deserved, and 2nd overall is AWESOME!!! Only Tommy's shreddedness beat you - you are going to be a pro in my opinion, sooner rather than later!!

GREAT JOB!!

Mike